For seniors with arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve pain, function, mood, and quality of life. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here’s a look at how to increase physical activity safely. Why is physical activity important for people with arthritis? If you have arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve your arthritis pain, function,…
If a loved one has recently been diagnosed with a serious, chronic disease and you are starting to search for care options, you’ve probably come across the term “palliative care.” Often, the first question people ask themselves is “does palliative care mean a person is dying?” For many years, people have considered hospice and palliative care to be synonymous. Actually,…
Many people with whom I have spoken over the years tell me that they don’t believe they need an advance directive for a variety of reasons. Some say, they just don’t care what happens to them. Others say that their loved ones “will know what to do” when the time comes. Just not caring is one thing but it has…
Depression is a serious mental health condition that often goes unrecognized and untreated among seniors. That’s why assessing an older adult’s mental health needs is so important. We expect our older relatives to slow down as they age, but a significant drop in energy level or a marked change in mood or behavior could signal a more serious matter. Here…
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. According to SeniorLiving.org, Arthritis is extremely common among seniors with nearly half of people age 65 and older suffering from some type of arthritis pain. Here’s a look at the types of arthritis, signs, and treatments. The tricky thing about arthritis is that it can attack almost any part of the body at any…
Many medical conditions can cause balance issues in seniors. However, most balance problems result from inner ear issues. The Mayo Clinic provides an article on the problems, symptoms and causes. Here’s a look. Balance problems can make you feel dizzy, as if the room is spinning, unsteady, or lightheaded. You might feel that you're going to fall down. These feelings…
If you’ve made the decision to hire a caregiver for a loved one, you probably have a long list of questions. One of your questions might be whether to hire an independent caregiver or use a home care agency. It’s helpful to have a clear understanding of the differences between the two in order to make the right decision for…
Oral health, and dental problems in particular, are some of the most common health problems experienced by older adults. HealthInAging.org gives us a look at five common issues, including oral cancer. Understanding the Problem Dental problems are some of the most common health problems experienced by older adults. In fact, people over 65 with natural teeth have more tooth decay…
Occupational therapists can help older adults overcome daily challenges caused by diminished ranges of motion and mobility. According to Consumer Affairs, here are some of the benefits of occupational therapy. In every stage of life, occupational therapy helps people develop, recover or maintain the skills they need to do meaningful and necessary daily activities. In particular, occupational therapists can help…
Alcohol abuse in the elderly is more prevalent than we may think. Because April is Alcohol Awareness Month, we thought this article was appropriate. Heavy drinking can often start in older adults, with 10-15% of people reporting they don’t start drinking heavily until they’re seniors. Here’s a complete guide to alcohol abuse among the elderly. Alcohol is a major part…
